BUCCANEERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH CB BRENT GRIMES

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today the team has agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with free agent cornerback Brent Grimes.

“Brent is the kind of playmaking defensive back that will make an immediate impact in our secondary,” said Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. “Brent is a four-time Pro Bowler who will come in and provide an immediate upgrade at a position we felt we needed to address this offseason. His familiarity with our defensive system, combined with his aggressive style of play, makes him an ideal fit for us.”

Grimes (5-10, 185) comes to Tampa Bay after three seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2013-15). Prior to his time with Miami, Grimes spent six seasons with Atlanta (2007-12) where current Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith served as the Falcon’s head coach from 2008-12. In his nine-year career, Grimes has 90-of-106 regular season games he has played in, totaling 401 tackles, 99 passes defensed, 26 interceptions (357 return yards, two touchdowns), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

“I am very excited to be able to continue my career playing in a defensive system and for a defensive coordinator that I am very familiar with,” said Grimes. “Tampa Bay has a great core of players on both sides of the ball and I am looking forward to doing what I can to help re-establish the Buccaneers defense as one of the best in the league.”

A four-time Pro Bowl selection (2010, 2013-15) and a 2014 Second-Team Associated Press All-Pro, Grimes’ 26 interceptions are tied for the seventh-most among active players. Since joining Miami in 2013, Grimes has totaled 13 interceptions, tied for the fourth-most in the league during that time. A two-time Defensive Player of the Week (NFC Week 15, 2010; AFC Week 9, 2014), Grimes was named the NFL Alumni Defensive Back of the Year following the 2011 season.

A Philadelphia native, Grimes played collegiately at Shippensburg and entered the league as a college free agent following the 2006 NFL Draft.